Year
2003
Abstract
This work describes the integration of a number of unattended sensors and cameras with communication links and displays for potential use in detecting unauthorized movement of radioactive materials. It describes sensor testing, communication network design, data format development, and installation and implementation issues. This work was a cooperative effort of multiple contractors, government agencies, and national laboratories. The purpose of this project was to demonstrate the capability for real-time detection and notification of unauthorized radioactive material movement. The system uses a variety of commercially available sensors. The project included the establishment of an outdoor test bed for side-by-side testing of radiation sensors with a variety of sources, selecting and installing sensors in a number of outdoor locations, developing a common sensor event reporting format for all sensors, linking the sensors to a central reporting station using a combination of RF, fiber optic, and copper wire communications links, and selecting cameras and lighting to provide still images and live video of any event triggering any of the sensors. The sensor data and alarm reporting are displayed in real-time in the command center for immediate notification of response forces, and logged for further analysis. Representative systems were installed in several operational facilities.